Faction History
The Veteran’s Guild formed after some disgruntled soldiers were denied what they believed to be their rightful voice in the direction of the city. Having fought tooth and nail, having bled side by side with their brethren, and having lost friends and family to the wars that pressed the city, these soldiers believed that they would continue to be fodder unless they could somehow wrest a vote from the aristocracy. Thus was the Veteran’s Guild born--an avenue for the common soldier to influence his future.

While the Veteran’s Guild has many honors hanging in their halls denoting the vast sacrifice their membership has made towards furthering the city’s sanctity, their most recent contribution was delivered in the Raging Rivers War. Standing against the barbarian hordes the guild was pushed to exhaustion as wave after wave of screaming, painted, half-naked warriors rushed their defenses. Yet they fought on and a good many of their number fell. Despite these losses the city’s defenses held. Then, late one evening the peel of thunder echoed through the boiling skies and heavy droplets of rain fell to refresh the weary soldiers. This storm grew in ferocity, pounding down upon the embattled armies until they were forced to break and seek shelter. The city’s defenders watched and waited for the break in the storm that would signify a continuance of the battle, but the storm did not flag. For days it rained; a steady downpour that filled the rivers and canals unto flooding, forcing the invading armies from the field and giving the Veteran’s Guild time to rest and refortify. Utilizing information gained from scouting operations the Veteran’s Guild leadership pressed the remaining aristocracy to grant permission for a bold plan. When the rains broke and the rivers receded, the word came that authorization was theirs. Within hours the barbarian army was routed and the Veteran’s Guild was to thank.

Since then, the Guild has found internal leadership among the more charismatic leaders, men and women who have fought valiantly in defense of the city--most still bear the scars of such encounters. It is these that the remaining lords and ladies of the city court for support in their claims to the throne. It is these stalwart few that lead the Veteran’s Guild.

Heraldry
The heraldry of the Veteran's Guild is placed on a field of red symbolizing their military strength and fortitude. Crossing the field is an embattled fess. This represents the guild's position as defenders of both the city and its walls.

In addition to the fess there is little other adornment found on the heraldry of the Veteran's Guild other than the silver bear. A symbol of their courage, ferocious defense of their kindred, and desire to maintain the peace.

War Cry
Country and Honor!

Faction Members

	Gohlm Arkamis As cruel a man as has ever lived, Gohlm Arkamis is one to fear. Many call him a half-wit, but none would dare to do so within his presence. Some have tried and of these most now adorn the chains hanging from his armor. Gohlm was born and bred to do battle and has excelled beyond all expectations.
	Horandar Balworth Horandar Balworth is a military genius. As a child he spent more hours studying the art of war than playing with friends and, as such, his mastery of warfare is unmatched. Numerous are the battles where great leaders thought all was lost while Horandar simply smiled and unveiled his plans. His success on the battlefield would make him a likely candidate for rank advancement in the Veteran's Guild, but it has become apparent he enjoys the art of war more than politicking, and so they leave him in the trenches.
	Troman Belcarion The son of an exiled knight, Troman has spent his life trying to clear his family's name. His efforts have produced some fruit, though not enough for Troman to cease his efforts. The Belcarion line is one of the oldest found among the knights in the city and he wears their crest proudly on his ancient suit of armor. With each passing day he continues to promote the old code and with it the nobility of his family.
	Captain Dorian Years of campaigning have taught Captain Dorian how to survive. It is because of these skills that he has risen to fame within the Veteran's Guild. On the field of battle Dorian fills his troops with confidence. His years of experience also have honed him into a very skilled tactician.
	Merion Dumar Whenever things go missing within the quarters of the Veteran's Guild, Merion is the first to be questioned. Oddly enough, though the items are often found within his personal belongings, nobody ever seems to do much more than laugh and recover their goods. Perhaps the memories of Merions past exploits are sufficient to save him a harsher penalty than the occasional jab to the ribs. Aside from his uncontrollable urge to "borrow things," Merion has also been found very agile and an excellent scout.
	Larion Eldrin When Larion--or Lord Eldrin, as he is called by those who have fought by his side--enters the room a silence enters with him. Revered by the Veteran's Guild and the city as a whole as a hero, there are few who would dare speak in his presence. A mammoth of a man and as fierce as they come, Larion deserves his comrade given title of Lord more than most men born into such station.
	Nadine Entara The recent Raging Rivers War was won at high cost to the men and women of the city, yet for Nadine the personal cost was worth the fight. With shards from a shattered lance piercing her right eye, Nadine still managed to dehorse and butcher the knight who thought her easy prey. The loss of her eye has removed from her some of her natural ability to fight, but the stories of her heroic deeds have left her with an air worth more than a dozen fine swords.
	Efferon Halimbar The life of a rogue was simply not nough for Efferon Halimbar. Son of a local brigand leader, Efferon spent many years learning how to steal and survive. Following a bloody conflict with the local militia, Efferon found his friends and his band of thugs decimated and soon found himself a drunkard wandering from pub to pub. If it wasn't for Krune Malgoth, Efferon probably would have soon been found dead in some dark alley, but his chance meeting with Krune changed his life. Hiding his past has not been easy, but Efferon has at last found safe haven within the Veteran's Guild.
	Gavin Holdspring The Holdspring line can be traced back to Lorvallis Holdspring, who forged the sword King Rohalim used in the Eleven Winters War. Following in step, the Holdsprings of today continue to master their techniques at the forge. Gavin is no different and has proven to be quite a skilled smith as well. Additionally, he has spent many years working as a member of the city's war machine and rightfully has gained a prominent position within the Veteran's Guild. If there is to be fault found in Gavin it would be in his incessant desire to protect any who would call upon his aid.
	Captain Jomad Captain Jomad is best known for his brilliant tactical maneuvers in the recent Raging Rivers War. He selflessly rallied a losing battalion to victory, and while his resulting injuries would have killed any other man, he continues to champion the Veteran's Guild's cause.
	Srilin Kalammai A chieftan's daughter of the now-extinct Black Snake Tribe, Srilin is an expert warrior. Trained from birth in the art of war, Srilin has never yet met her match. Never without her hooked sword, Srilin now is often found attending political events. The reason for her presence is only surmised as she speaks little of the common tongue.
	Heris Lacauld When Heris was born it is said she came out fighting. As a child Heris was always looking for a fight for one reason or another; it is often said that she will jump into any fray simply to see the blood spray. In recent years Heris has taken on a new hobby to compliment her love for blood and has stepped into the political sphere. The results of her new endeavor are yet to be fully understood.
	Riggins Lanks The sight of Riggins Lanks' gigantic axe is enough to identify him anywhere within the region. It is said the axe has cleft more men in two than that of any executioner to ever live. In battle it is often Riggins who is seen leading the fray with a devilish grin on his face and the mighty axe in hand.
	Krune Malgoth Common rumors suggest that Krune is an escaped slave and the darker rumors suggest that it was his own hands that crushed the throat of his master. The distinct tattoos on his body tie him to his wild, tribal roots in the mountains of Makairl. Common rumor also suggests that it is wise to speak of neither. As a warrior Krune carries nothing more than a large broad sword, and all wise men have learned to fear it.
	Jerion Millins As a young child Jerion Millins found himself abondoned and left to fend for himself in the streets of the city. The fate of his parents unknown, Jerion was forced to do whatever he could to simply find enough bread to stay alive. As he recounts, his dismal future was suddenly changed one day as a pillar of light led him to a small brook in the woods. Here he found the body of a fallen soldier with a thin-bladed sword in hand. Directed by a voice in his head he took the blade from the dead man's hands and thence began to train with it in secret. As the years passed Jerion found that he was not only deft with the blade, but sharp of wit as well. With these two skills Jerion has carved out a place of reknown in both the Veteran's Guild and the political arena.
	Skeldjin Orvars The mounted forces of the Veteran's Guild are legendary for their skill and precision. Their titles and honors are many and with their advance a history of victory. Skeldjin Orvars remains an unofficial officer within the cavalry but everyone knows that when the battle turns rough he will be the one leading the charge and the men respect him for it. Brave and apparently fearless, Skeldjin will surely see advancement within the Veterans' Guild.
	Kaulim Roaks When people speak of noble men who would place duty and honor above all else, the name Kaulim Roaks is often first to their tongues. Born the son of a merchant, Kaulim found his place in his father's caravan guard and from this learned all the skills a mercenary must have to survive. Loyal and forever honorable, Kaulim now fights for the cause of the Veteran's Guild.
	Bannion Rowens As the years have passed many things have changed in the city, but the Rowen family was not one of them. Bannion is the son of a soldier, whose father was a soldier, who was also the son of a soldier. Well known and feared for his ferocious nature, Bannion is a man to fear on the battlefield.
	Calowen Rowens The older of the two brothers, Calowen is also the more prominent. While Bannion is feared on the field of battle, it is Calowen who leads the family.
	Dauntus Rulimar Dauntus Rulimar joined the Veteran's Guild because of his friendship with Larion Eldrin. This simple act, however, was sufficient to alienate him from his past friends and even his family. As a former supporter of House Mosfin, Dauntus now receives nothing but disdain from those who once were his friends.
	Vohl Silcrisp When born Vohl was assumed dead, not breathing and lifeless. In despair his mother collapsed in agony upon her bed. At this very moment it is said that Vohl awoke from his deathly slumber and called his mother's name. Since that day he has not spoken another word. Perhaps to Vohl Silcrips the comman adage "conviction is found in the act" has even greater meaning. Deeply religious and quite skilled in war, Vohl is a perfect fit for the Veteran's Guild.
	General Stowbins A mountain of a man and a fearless warrior, General Stowbins has earned his rank through dedication, determination, and on more than one occasion, the spilling of his own blood. Having participated in every major battle through the last 40 years, General Stowbins leads through example inspiring his men to excel. His one great fault is his pride; which recently has brought him into no small amount of quarreling with other high-ranking members of the Veteran's Guild.